Fake Blocks - a block that looks like one you would normally not be able to walk through, be it a wall, or dirt, rock, anything like that. The difference being, you can pass through it. Could be used for traps or secret passages. The player should be completely hidden behind such blocks, much like walking through a tunnel. Could be used for hiding too, I suppose.
While I would love to see this for several reasons, I can also see it being abused for PvP or creating other situations. If some sort of visor tech item was enabled so that players could see through fake blocks, it might negate the abuse. Unfortunately, Tiy has said he is opposed to any sort of block that obstructs vision, probably for the reason I mentioned. Actually, the potential for use in PvP would be awesome, especially if sneaking works in PvP. Secret passages would be awesome in dungeons. Combine this, descructible/regenerating blocks, and an item that mimics the Morph Ball, and you could recreate entire maps from Metroid games. The stairs will already allow us to recreate Castlevania, so we are already halfway to having the ulitmate Metroidvania level editor within an already epic game. If these features aren't in the release, I can definitely see them being available as Mods. EDIT: The Visor/Scanner idea might work as a used item, and the tech item simply negates any fake blocks.
This is really an intriguing suggest, but like said before it would be way to abusable in pvp. The only way I see of quelling this abuse is with the visor system mentioned above. What I'd like to suggest though, is instead of or in addition to having to buy the visors, players should be able to see cracks of light through the block. The block shouldn't show background or wall through it, but if a player or object is behind it, you should be able to see through a few cracks of light reflecting off of their body and through the block. This way, the wall will look identical to an ordinary block until a player or mob stands behind it.
This idea gives me horrible Simon's Quest flashbacks. It could have alot of cool uses, but also alot of annoying uses.
Hm... another thing that could work is being able to see the player's silhouette while they are behind the block.
What about doors that can soak in it's environmental colors so it would be hard to see but not impossible. Even hitting it could set off some *ping* noise as when you hit metal with a bat. This reduces most, if not all negative stuff and makes sense apposed to magical blocks that you can walk through. And of course all space beyond is not visible due to lack of light assuming you don't have torches directly behind it.
Maybe the OP should include the possibility of visors or scanners that negate the effects of Fake Blocks. Then people might recognize that it could even add depth to PvP without ruining it. It could significantly aid an entire type of character (stealth) while adding the possibility of a new support character option (scanning) which could be useful for other things as well, like finding ore and mobs underground. Might also want to clarify if these "fake blocks" are holograms or foreground items or whatever.
Sounds reasonable, however if that were the case, I think a visor might be a little annoying considering it could potentially be using up a much needed armor slot. Some kind of handheld object (like the scanner in question) that dispels the image of the fake blocks when pointed at them could work. As for what the blocks would actually be, I suppose they could be called some sort of hologram, yes. Would probably be on the same layer as regular blocks, the difference being the fact that they aren't solid.
I like the idea, and I don't think it really damages PvP at all. It would take a little bit of time to get a set-up where you could adequately hide yourself with these blocks. It's not like you could plop one down anywhere and instantly be invisible. In other words, it would only be useful in a restricted number of scenarios. You could set up ambushes, which would be interesting, since you'd have to make it appear natural if you're in the wild. Obviously, it would be useful in your own base, which I don't have a problem with, either. If it's your home base, you SHOULD have some advantage. Lastly, you could sneak into another player's house and set up and ambush there. Yes, you'd have to break some blocks. But that's another matter entirely. We're assuming here that breaking other player's blocks is allowed by your server. Again, this would take some planning to pull off. Still balanced. Making the visor take up an armor slot would be a balancing measure. If it's just an item I can carry with me, what good reason do I have not to use it at all times? And then, these fake blocks become completely useless.
If the blocks are holograms, then they would probably not work when a player is standing inside the same space as them. They'd still be useful for traps and secret passages, but it would be hard for snipers to hide behind them, which may be a good thing. They also would not obscure view of the players or mobs, which Tiy said he was adamantly against having in Starbound, so it would work out all-around. The visor would probably be an tech item (accessory) that reveals all fake blocks on your screen. Since it would nullify all fake blocks, I think a balanced cost is that it would use up 1/5 of your tech slots, which you can only change at your space station. The visor would be for people who never want to be caught off-guard by fake blocks, which are very situation and would not show up often. Scanners would be held items but only reveal a cone-shaped range, like a flashlight does for light. The only times this would work very well would be if you suspected that there would be fake blocks in the area, due to the limited range. It would also require you to hold it in hand, so it would distract you in PvP. This seems to be balanced in my opinion.
like trap doors? Sure lets do that when terraria done that and got themselves relieved off form the game. They rejected the proceeding the game prenatal, yea now we aren't copy it, they abandon the projects in the first place and the only successfully they only made one trap door which clearly feels nothing to that point.
Nothing like those, no. More like a wall you can walk behind. Not something you can walk on and open/close.
I said "like a trap door" I didn't say click a button to open the wall. Anyway remind me hologram wall which yea it would work perfectly for the game.
Ever heard of Inactive/Active stone block? Yeah I think they should just use the Inactive/Active stone blocks from Terraria.
You can't shoot through active blocks, and it is very easy to tell inactive blocks from regular ones. They also require switches to work. The concept is similar, but holographic blocks would actually be much different in mechanics and have a different effect on gameplay.
